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Service users' experience of violence within a mental health system: A study using grounded theory approach
- Authors:
- KUMAR Shailesh, GUITE Hilary, THORNICROFT Graham
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 10(6), December 2001, pp.597-611.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
This study attempts to elicit the experiences of six existing service users of mental health services at the Maudsley Hospital by running a focus group. These service users had experienced violence as perpetrators, victims or witnesses within the mental health service. Grounded theory approach was used to analyse the transcript, which identified 21 categories and six themes: imbalance of power; violence has psychological sequelae; mental Health Services are not geared to help victims of institutional violence; the present mental health system fosters violence; a radical change is needed in the infrastructure of the mental health system and reinforcement and reforms may come from parallel efforts. Significant similarities were noted in the recommendations made by the study participants about the factors that may reduce violence within the mental health system. The study demonstrates that people with mental illness do experience violence, and that they are capable of identifying measures that are known to reduce violence on the basis of their personal experiences.